HERE I STAND, I CAN DO NO OTHER

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

The Christian life for most of us is one of ordinary routines, what the Apostle Paul referred to as that “peaceful and quiet life” (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Timothy 2:2), interrupted occasionally with trials and tribulations, personal and family celebrations and sometimes a need to stand up for Christ with holy boldness (Proverbs 28:1). October 31, 1517 marked one such moment of boldness in the annals of Christian History. It was on that day that a German Catholic theologian named Martin Luther nailed his famous Ninety-Five Theses, or complaints against his denomination to the door of his church.

Martin Luther is credited with starting the Protestant Reformation that swept Europe in the sixteenth century. But Luther’s personal transformation came slowly. He was extremely troubled with his church’s practice of selling indulgences; a spiritual “get-out-of-hell” pass available only to those who could afford it. This wicked practice led Luther to do an intensive theological study of the doctrine of justification. Through the process, one verse, found four times in the Bible changed his life and the history of the Protestant Church; that verse is “The just shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).

Theologically, justification is a legal principle. Justification, like grace, is completely undeserved, and wholly the act of God. It is, as theologian Millard Erickson wrote “not an achievement, an obtainment, not an attainment.” Simply stated, the moment a sincere repentant sinner accepts Christ as Savior they are declared sinless (AKA “just”); made righteous by imputing their transgressions to the account of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 4:5-6). Justification does not reform, renovate or renew. Our nature is changed through regeneration (2 Corinthians 5:17); our relationship with God is changed through justification (Romans 5:1).

When Martin Luther faced the leadership of his church, he was given a chance to recant his actions. After contemplating their threats and what he had learned about the justification of the believer, Luther had no choice. On April 18, 1521 Martin Luther, as the apostles of old (Acts 4:29) stood in defiance of their false doctrine. His words speak to us today, “Here I stand, I can do no other.” May we who stand justified in the court of heaven have holy boldness to stand for the Lord in this world. Think about it.